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Honestly, it hadn't even occurred to me before this thread, so it's a rapid education on the matter. I can definitely see the argument, I rarely have to tell people what I do, I usually just show them.

when people ask me what i do for a living, i say iÂ´m a graphics- and motiongraphics designer / animator. i think it describes the stuff i do pretty well. everyone who does what we do for a living is not an artist the way i see it. my sense of what makes an artist an artist is that he/she does whatever their creativity drives them to, regardless of money or fame aspects, and eventually he or she can make a living out of that, too. but thatÂ´s not the case if you have clients. you do what they want, the purpose of your work is to sell another product or idea, not your own work, eventually bring in some of your own creativity, and thatÂ´s it. itÂ´s not art. at least not from my point of view.

what many people consider art even if it fits the above criteria isnÂ´t art for me either, but thatÂ´s the thing about art, itÂ´s subjective. and even if someone thinks he is an artist because he puts make-up on faces so be it. in a few years probably everyone on this planet will be an artist. then we will have to find another word for it :D

As I started this thread I should really say what I call myself, and that's 3D graphic designer, if I have to. I usually just describe what I do because people generally say "what is a 3D graphic designer?" anyway.

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Trouble is, saying '3D' these days often confuses people. Half the people who hear that term immediately think 'spear flying out of the screen towards the audience' 3D! So I often find myself having to clear that one up.

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I was just trying to say that I reckon it is OK for people to call themselves what they like.

And, for what it's worth, in the right context, I call myself an artist, hopefully without pretension, and hopefully with some justification.
But even if I am a pretentious wannabe (quite possible), I reserve the right to identify myself however I see fit.

I agree that there can (is) good and bad (and awful) 'art'.
But if someone wants to think of themselves as an artist, a transgender person, a care-giver, a Green Bay Packers fan (oh! don't get me started!), I think that is fine with me.

At what point did anyone state that people are not allowed to call themselves whatever they want?

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When you (and some others) said you hate it when they do. If someone hates something I do, I tend to think of that as somewhat prohibiting said activity.

For example:

'I hate it when he leaves the toilet seat up.'

Appropriate response:

Put the seat down when finished.

Example:

'I hate it when you call yourself an artist.'

Appropriate response:

'OK, I will try not to do that around you, seeing how it upsets you so much that you hate it.'

If you tell someone that you hate something they do, that is not encouragement to do that thing, right?

Of course, you don't have the power to ban people calling themselves artists, but you do have the power of personal sanction, which (again, could be my misunderstanding here) it seems you want to apply in these circumstances.

If you reckon people can call themselves whatever, that is a good thing, that is nice.

People are free to call themselves anything they like. I'm also free to have an opinion on that. Sometimes it might not be what they want to hear. But as long as it's honest, what more can they ask for. And if anyone gets overly offended, it probably means I'm on to something.